The Turkish Anti-Trust regulatory authority, called the Turkish Competition Authority is investigating casting agencies and talent management companies is causing a stir in the celebrity world. One particular company appears to be the target, which had been accused in social media for presumably monopolizing the business. Turkey has over $1bn in exports of soap operas, while Netflix and Disney Channel launching Turkish productions has suddenly increased demand for series and movies.
Multiple actors from Turkish TV shows and movies have come forward to speak out against one particular management company, ID Communication, amid accusations of industry monopolization. Yet the debate has now extended to the entire industry, according to Turkiye Today.
The probe followed a preliminary inquiry conducted months ago into allegations that certain agencies, through their relationships with production companies, have promoted their actors, writers and directors in a way to assert disproportionate control over the sector.
During the initial investigation, the authorities examined the agencies’ electronic devices, including phones and computers.
Local media had previously criticized the industry for perpetuating the prominence of actors from the same agencies, allegedly based on their affiliations rather than their acting prowess, particularly in Turkish productions featured on digital platforms.
Actors not represented by these well-connected talent agencies faced systemic exclusion from opportunities, effectively stifling competition, according to the media. Notably, some actresses have publicly endorsed the investigation on social media, further highlighting the grievances within the industry.
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However, the Competition Board’s decision to launch an investigation does not imply that the entities or associations under scrutiny have definitively violated the law or will face sanctions.
The focus has centered around accusations of powerful figures blocking opportunities for actors based on personal or financial gain.
Controversial post sparks social media frenzy
On Jan. 7, 2025, a post shared on social media by user @Ezellottteeee (known as ‘Ezel’) reignited a long-running debate. The post, which included a screenshot of an article by journalist Fuat Ugur, has since gone viral.
In the post, Ugur highlighted several allegations about the dominance of certain talent management companies in Türkiye’s TV industry, hinting at monopolistic practices and favoritism, calling one female agency CEO “the mama of Turkish casting”.
21 agencies accused of creating ‘cartel’
According to an announcement on the authority’s official website, the preliminary inquiry into claims against the Casting Agencies Association and affiliated parties has concluded.
The authority deemed the information, documents and findings obtained during the inquiry to be significant and sufficient, prompting an official investigation into 21 enterprises operating in this sector.
If anti-competitive practices were discovered in the casting business, agencies are liable to pay huge fines, while those found guilty may be blacklisted by financers of the industry.
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